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Rules of entry 2007
Mercury is the most prestigious award in travel catering world
wide, sought after by the best and most pro-active companies
in the industry.
Enter your product, service or system and compete for a Mercury, the truly global recognition of excellence in our business.
The Mercury committee wishes you and your company a successful entry
Please study the rules carefully as changes have happened to previous years.
1. Participation
The competition is exclusively open to any Company providing goods or services to the onboard service of the passenger transportation industry.
2. Categories
Category 1: On Board Service - Air
Category 2: On Board Service - Rail
Category 3: On Board Service - Sea
These categories are for the entry of concepts that enhance the quality of onboard service. The entry should include service procedures and any combination of elements i.e. equipment, food and beverages, interior furnishings, entertainment systems etc.
Category 4: Food or Beverage
This category is for taste. All entries will be tasted at the judging. It is for the entry of food and/or beverage products.
Category 5: Equipment
This category is for the entry of all types of equipment that promote and enhance the overall service within the industry.
Category 6: Skills Development
This category is for the entry of educational and/or training processes, systems and products, which enhance internal and/or external customer services.
Category 7: Systems and Process Development
This category is for the entry of Information Systems or other processes that improve efficiency, quality and customer satisfaction.
Category 8: Inspirations
This is for what might only be an idea but one which, if developed, would enhance passenger satisfaction. The idea must be presented giving as much detail as possible and it is hoped that someone will assist the entrant to bring the idea to market
Category 9: ITCA board award
for outstanding contribution to the industry. This award will go to a nominated individual who through their own vision , dedication and hard work have made a real difference to our industry.
3. Commercial use
It is NOT mandatory for entries to have been in Commercial use in our industry. No Prototypes will be allowed – except in the ‘Inspirations’ Category. The Mercury Award Committee may request documentary proof from an existing customer to support any claims made by the entrant.
4. Fees
The entry fee is £250 for each entry (to include screen and projector for the presentation) for all ITCA members. For non-members the fee per entry is £400. Fees must be paid by the time of submitting your entry. Payment details can be found on the electronic entry form.
5. Validation
All entries will be validated prior to the judging process. The Mercury Committee reserves the right to decline any entry – in any such case the entry fee will not be refunded – and to change the category entered. It will endeavour to communicate any such changes by the end of November 2007.
6. Presentation
Each successful entrant will be able to occupy a maximum of 20 minutes to present their entry either in Person or by DVD / Web presentation. The presentation will be timed and the judging panel will have an additional 5 minutes to ask questions should they so wish. Entrants should provide any audio-visual material that may be required – ITCA will provide a screen and projector in the judging room. Entrants will be allowed 40 minutes preparation time in the presentation room in advance of the pre-allocated time. This time will be notified to all entrants by the end of November 2007. The judging will take place at the Park Inn Hotel, London Heathrow on 15 & 16th January 2008.
7. Judging Criteria
Entries will be judged on the following criteria:
Innovation
- innovative
- creative
- new to industry
Quality in Application
- useful
- practical/safe
- cost effective
Internal/External Customer Satisfaction
- benefical
- easy to use
- improved service delivery
Environment
– there will be marks for Environmental benefits in each category and where appropriate.
8. Weighting
In order to recognise the importance of innovation and environment and in the case of Food & Beverage, Customer satisfaction, the marks for these criteria will be weighted at 1.5 times the points awarded in the judging process.
9. Category award winners
Each category will receive one “MERCURY” for the entrant with the most points in its category.
N.B. There will be no overall winner and only one winner per category.
In the event that entries from the same category gain the same number of points, innovation – or customer satisfaction in the
case of category 2 – will act as an over- rider in the decision making process.
Each MERCURY Winner will receive a Mercury statue to keep.
10. Deadline
All entries must be received electronically together with payment in full by Association Services at itca@associationservices.co.uk or via www.itcanet.com no later than 15th November 2007, 17:30 hours GMT. No entries will be accepted after that.
11. Disclaimer
The judging committee reserves the right to disqualify any validated entry, when it dose not comply to the rules. The decisions of the Mercury Award committee and of the Mercury judging panel are final.
The winners will be announced during the ITCA 2008 Conference in Nice, France on Friday 15th February 2008.
